LCC calls on Mayor to fast-track removal of Vauxhall roundabout after another London cyclist is killed

After another cycling fatality in the capital, the London Cycling Campaign is calling on the Mayor to fast-track the removal of the Vauxhall one-way system, redesigning the area to make it safe for cycling and walking.

A 52-year-old man died this morning at around 7am after being hit by a tipper truck on Parry Street, which forms the southern section of the lethal Vauxhall one-way system where numerous cyclists and pedestrians have been killed.

LCC Chief Executive Ashok Sinha said, “The Mayor went on record in February 2014 saying he will redesign the notorious Vauxhall one-way system, along with 32 other dangerous 1960s junctions in central London, but there are currently no plans on the table, nor timetables for consultation or redevelopment.

“We’re calling on the Mayor to fast-track the redesign of Vauxhall one-way system, and to make the junction an exemplar of Continental best practice - showing how a well-designed junction can provide safe and direct passage for pedestrians, cyclists and motor traffic.

“Until Vauxhall junction is redesigned, then cyclists will continue to risk death and serious injury when cycling through this location where they're forced to jockey for position with fast cars and heavy goods vehicles weaving across several lanes of traffic.”

According to Transport for London, over 150 cyclists and pedestrians have been killed or seriously injured at the 33 junctions that will be redesigned by the Better Junctions programme.

The Mayor’s Better Junctions programme was launched in December 2011, in response to protests rides and vigils organised by the London Cycling Campaign and other campaigners.

Its initial budget of £19 million was strongly criticised as inadequate to address the problem of London’s dangerous junctions.

In February 2014, the Mayor increased this to £300 million, with a promise to remove the 33 most dangerous one-way systems and junctions including Vauxhall.

However, February’s announcement claimed Transport for London would provide detailed designs of schemes in March, ready to start actual works in the second half of 2014.

Speaking to the London Cycling Campaign’s Big Ride on 17 May 2014, the Mayor’s Cycling Commissioner Andrew Gilligan confirmed plans for Cycle Superhighway 5 to provide safe passage for cycling through the northern section of the one-way system.

However, while we welcomed this as an improvement of the current street layout, we’re very concerned the ‘early start’ traffic lights are inadequate, and present similar risks to where a woman was killed cycling through Bow roundabout in November 2013.

Beyond that we have so far seen no designs to remove the Vauxhall one-way system where the man died today.

Note how whilst the track serves cyclists travelling from Oval towards Victoria and vv, there is scant provision for cyclists approach from South Lambeth Road, Wandsworth Road or Nine Elms Lane, apart from a bunch of ASLs. Arguably it could be even more risky for these cyclists, as they will now have to deal with buses pulling up to / away from proposed bus stops outside St. George's Wharf. They are also keeping five lanes of traffic on Vauxhall Bridge in addition to the segregated cycleway - so I can't imagine it will be wide enough.

2011 'plans', but still no 'action' 3 years later. How many fallen riders and pedestrians does it take to 'move' these politicons? When do Boris and Gilligan become liable for their negligence?

Could an ePetition work? need 100,000+ signatures, to be considered for debate in the House of Commons. 'The Oz Petition - How to get the Mayor of London, a Heart, a Brain, and some Courage'! http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/

Whereas pedestrians were getting a private! elevated walkway, with cycleway, this story 2014/02, says it's been abandoned .